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心外 (しんがい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
na-adjective, noun
vexing ; upsetting ; offensive ; unexpected and regrettable ; unthinkable
Often used as 心外だ or 心外な when something is outside what one expected, intended, or deserves, and therefore feels regrettable, unfair, insulting, or hard to accept. For neutral 'unexpected,' 意外 is usually safer.
嘘うそ つき 呼よ ばわり さ れ て 、 彼かの 女じょ は 心しん 外がい そう な 顔かお を し た 。
Being called a liar, she looked offended.
Similar words 意い 外がい Means 'unexpected' or 'surprising' in a neutral or positive way; 心外 usually adds displeasure, hurt, or a sense that the result is unacceptable.
不ふ 本ほん 意い Focuses on something being against one's wishes or not what one intended; 心外 more strongly suggests being offended, vexed, or unfairly treated.
遺い 憾かん A more formal word for 'regrettable,' often used in official statements; 心外 is more personal and can mean feeling insulted or upset.
Etymology A Sino-Japanese compound of 心, 'heart; mind,' and 外, 'outside.' The spelling suggests something outside one's expectations or feelings, which in modern use often becomes 'unexpected and vexing/offensive.'
